Cinegeoff Channels

Black Snake Moan

Review by Ty McLemore

Director

Craig Brewer

Lead Actors

Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci,
Justin Timberlake

Producers

Stephanie Allain, John Singleton and
Ron Schmidt

Plot synopsis

Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) is an
honest, bible-fearing, crop growing man who is currently estranged from his
wife amidst a sea of marital problems. On a routine trip to empty his trash, he
encounters the town tramp, Rae, (Christina Ricci) who is badly beaten,
half-naked and barely conscious on a dirt road near his property.

He whisks her inside and over the next several
days nurses her back to health. Once awake and well, Rae thanks him for the
hospitality and attempts to leave – only to discover that she has been chained
to a radiator heater in his home. Lazarus, in his own twisted way, attempts to
save her and put an end to her nympho-maniacal tendencies.

While in captivity over the next several
weeks, Rae develops a father-daughter relationship with him. She was raised by
a non-caring mother and a stepfather who sexually abused her as a child. In the
end, they both help each other repair their souls and their lives.

Who Would Like It

Anyone who is a fan of Jackson,
Ricci, or Timberlake or who desires to see Ms. Ricci topless or scantily
dressed throughout most of the movie. This is actually my FAVORITE Jackson film
in that he isn’t the tough guy here, but rather a simple, kind-hearted man
trying to navigate a world that he often doesn’t understand.

Who Might Not Like It

Those who have sensitivity toward
people being held in captivity or dislike violence or profanity.

Highlights

Rae’s utter shock as she stands and
discovers that a chain has been wrapped around her waist is priceless – as is
Jackson’s attempt to explain her predicament.

***************************************

In another, Rae’s “Sickness” as it
is often referred to, reaches its threshold as she has now been without sex for
quite some time. A teenage friend of Lazarus comes calling to his home. Unsure
whether Lazarus is inside, he knocks at the door. Rae, in anticipation of easy
prey, anxiously awaits his entrance. The youngster turns the handle and the
moment he enters, Rae pounces on him like a panther in heat.

Lazarus returns to find the two in
mid-act and verbally scolds them. Later in the garage, he confesses to the teen
that he lost HIS virginity to his second cousin.

***************************************

In another, Lazarus
retrieves his electric guitar during a stormy night. Rae, who has now been
freed, willfully lays at his feet while he belts out a soulful, gut-wrenching
blues song. Jackson, who is an accomplished musician, actually wrote and performed
the song.